Correlation between masked hypertension and endothelial dysfunction measured by flow-mediated dilation: a protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionA surrogate marker to evaluate artery endothelial response when stimulated by reactive hyperaemia, known as brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), has prognostic value in predicting hypertensive organ damage and cardiovascular disease events. However, the degree of correlation between brachial FMD and masked hypertension (MH) outcomes is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to pool data regarding FMD with respect to MH.Methods and analysisElectronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Cochrane Library will be searched for the following keywords: endothelial dysfunction, flow-mediated dilation, and masked hypertension, masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) and prehypertension. The following are the eligibility criteria: population—adults (18 years old or older) without hypertension at baseline, with suspected endothelial dysfunction, or from MH/MUCH populations (office blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg and home blood pressure ≥135 mm Hg and/or 85 mm Hg) and from controlled clinical trials, cohort studies, or randomised and controlled trials; exposures—any metrics for FMD; comparisons—participants without MH or MUCH; and outcome—change in FMD between the case group and the control group. Two authors will be engaged in screening and collecting data independently; disagreements will be resolved through discussion. Data extraction will include primary data designated as HR, OR, correlations and regression coefficients. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.2.0 will be used to conduct related subgroup and sensitivity analyses and publication bias.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethics approval. It will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020208362.

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Influence of Mindfulness and Relaxation on Treatment of Essential Hypertension: Meta-Analysis

Journal of Healthcare Engineering ◽

10.1155/2021/2272469 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Fushun Zhang ◽

Yuanyuan Zhang ◽

Nan Jiang ◽

Qiao Zhai ◽

Juanjuan Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Essential Hypertension ◽

Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Effect Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Biomedical Literature ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Effect Model

Background. Some studies published previously have shown a strong correlation between hypertension and psychological nature including impulsion emotion or mindfulness and relaxation temperament, among which mindfulness and relaxation temperament might have a benign influence on blood pressure, ameliorating the hypertension. However, the conclusion was not confirmed. Objective. The meta-analysis was performed to investigate the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on essential hypertension interventions and confirm the effects. Methods. Systematic searches were conducted in common English and Chinese electronic databases (i.e., PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) from 1980 to 2020. A meta-analysis including 5 studies was performed using Rev Man 5.4.1 software to estimate the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on blood pressure, ameliorating the hypertension. Publication bias and heterogeneity of samples were tested using a funnel plot. Studies were analyzed using either a random-effect model or a fixed-effect model. Results. All the 5 studies investigated the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on diastolic and systolic blood pressure, with total 205 participants in the control group and 204 in the intervention group. The random-effects model (REM) was used to calculate the pooled effect for mindfulness and relaxation on diastolic blood pressure (I2 = 0%, t2 = 0.000, P = 0.41 ). The random pooled effect size (MD) was 0.30 (95% CI = −0.81–1.42, P = 0.59 ). REM was used to calculate the pooled effect for mindfulness and relaxation on systolic blood pressure (I2 = 49%, t2 = 3.05, P = 0.10 ). The random pooled effect size (MD) was −1.05 (95% CI = −3.29–1.18, P = 0.36 ). The results of this meta-analysis were influenced by publication bias to some degree. Conclusion. All the results showed less influence of mindfulness and relaxation might act on diastolic or systolic blood pressure, when mindfulness and relaxation are used to intervene in treating CVD and hypertension.

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Changes in apical base sagittal relationship in Class II malocclusion treatment with and without premolar extractions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Angle Orthodontist ◽

10.2319/030716-198.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 87 (2) ◽

pp. 338-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Guilherme Janson ◽

Aron Aliaga-Del Castillo ◽

Ana Niederberger

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Collaboration ◽

Class Ii ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Class Ii Treatment ◽

Apical Base

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the changes in apical base sagittal relationship in Class II treatment with and without premolar extractions. Materials and Methods: Controlled studies evaluating ANB angle changes after Class II Division 1 malocclusion treatment with or without premolar extractions were considered. Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, Lilacs, and Google Scholar) without limitations regarding publication year or language were searched. Risk of bias was assessed with Risk Of Bias in Non-randomized Studies—of Interventions tool of the Cochrane Collaboration. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated from the random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results: Twenty-five studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Eleven nonextraction and only one extraction Class II treatment studies presented untreated Class II control group. Therefore, meta-analysis was performed only for the nonextraction protocol. In treated Class II nonextraction patients, the average of the various effects was a reduction in the ANB angle of 1.56° (95% CI: 1.03, 2.09, P < .001) compared with untreated Class II subjects. Class II malocclusions treated with two maxillary-premolar extractions and four-premolar extractions produced estimated mean reductions in ANB of −1.88° and −2.55°, respectively. However, there is a lack of low-risk-of-bias studies. Conclusions: According to the existing low quality evidence, the apical base sagittal relationship in nonextraction, two-maxillary and four-premolar extractions Class II treatments decreases −1.56°, 1.88° and 2.55°, respectively. Further studies are necessary to obtain more robust information.

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Hydroxychloroquine Versus COVID-19: A Rapid Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10.1101/2020.04.14.20065276 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Amir Shamshirian ◽

Amirhossein Hessami ◽

Keyvan Heydari ◽

Reza Alizadeh-Navaei ◽

Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Comparative Studies ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Mesh Terms

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major global issue with rising the number of infected individuals and mortality in recent months. Among all therapeutic approaches, arguments have raised about hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19. We aimed to overcome the controversies regarding the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19, using a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar and medRxiv pre-print database using all available MeSH terms for COVID-19 and hydroxychloroquine. Two authors selected and assessed the quality of studies independently using related checklists. Data have been extracted from included studies and analyzed using CMA v. 2.2.064. heterogeneity was also assessed using the I-squared test. We also conducted different sensitivity analyses to examine the effect of studies that greatly influence the results.ResultsOut of 14 studies entered into our systematic review, 12 studies including seven comparative studies with control group and five observational studies containing 3,428 participants have entered into the study. The results of the meta-analysis on comparative studies indicated no significant clinical effectiveness (negative in RT-PCR evaluation) for HCQ regimen in the treatment of COVID-19 in comparison to control group (RR: 1.04, 95% CI, 0.83-1.31). The same result was observed for the combination of HCQ+azithromycin (RR: 2.15, 95% CI, 0.31-14.77). Approximately 1.7 times higher mortality rate was observed among the HCQ regimen group in comparison to control group (RR: 1.73, 95% CI, 1.06-2.81), which was not related to the age differences according to meta-regression analysis (P=0.305). No substantial difference was observed for disease exacerbation (RR: 1.87, 95% CI, 0.28-12.36) between HCQ group and controls. Also, radiological findings significantly improved in the HCQ group (OR: 0.32, 95% CI, 0.11-0.98). Odds of known HCQ adverse effects (diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, rash, headache, etc.) occurred in the HCQ regimen group was approximately 3.5 times of control group (OR: 3.55, 95% CI, 1.61-7.82), but no substantial differences were found regarding intubation odds between HCQ group and control group (OR: 2.11, 95% CI, 0.31-14.03).ConclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis not only indicated no clinical benefits regarding HCQ treatment with/without azithromycin for COVID-19 patients, but the higher mortality rate and frequency of known HCQ adverse effects were observed for the HCQ regimen group. However, due to that most of the studies were non-randomized and results were not homogenous, selection bias was unavoidable and further large randomized clinical trials following comprehensive meta-analysis should be taken into account in order to achieve more reliable findings.

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Curcumin Preparations Can Improve Flow-Mediated Dilation and Endothelial Function: A Meta-Analysis

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000506180 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 272-281

Author(s):

Khalid Hamid Changal ◽

Muhammad Shayan Khan ◽

Rehana Bashir ◽

Mujeeb Abdul Sheikh

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Endothelial Dysfunction ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Control Group ◽

Flow Mediated Dilation ◽

Standard Difference

Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of atherosclerosis. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), measured by ultrasonography, is used to noninvasively assess endothelial dysfunction. Preparations of curcumin, a naturally occurring pigment found in turmeric, may improve FMD and thus endothelial dysfunction. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the effect of curcumin preparations on endothelial dysfunction. Methods: Five randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The primary outcome was an improvement in FMD, as measured at brachial artery, after supplementations with curcumin preparations compared to the control group. Standardized mean difference and Hedges’ g were used for effect size (ES) measurement. An ES of 0.2–0.5 is considered small, 0.5–0.8 is medium, and more than 0.8 is large. Publication bias was studied too. Results: We found supplementation with curcumin preparations had an overall ES (standard difference in means) of 1.379 (95% CI 0.485–2.274, p = 0.003) on FMD. The overall Hedges’ g was 1.353 (95% CI 0.47–2.235, p = 0.03). This analysis suggests a positive and large ES of curcumin preparations on FMD using a random effect model. Smokers had a smaller increase in FMD compared to nonsmokers (ES 0.379 vs. 1.639, p = 0.034). Conclusion: This meta-analysis of 5 randomized clinical trials indicates a significant effect of curcumin preparations to increase the FMD compared to placebo and thus endothelial function. This effect is not strongly noticed in smokers.

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Effects of pistachios on anthropometric indices, inflammatory markers, endothelial function, and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114520004523 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-27

Author(s):

Omid Asbaghi ◽

Amir Hadi ◽

Marilyn S. Campbell ◽

Kamesh Venkatakrishnan ◽

Ehsan Ghaedi

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Endothelial Dysfunction ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Inflammatory Markers ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Anthropometric Indices ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Evidence suggests that eating nuts may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was intended to pool the data of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) available to determine if pistachios confer a beneficial effect on anthropometric indices, inflammatory markers, endothelial dysfunction, and blood pressure. Without language restriction, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for articles published from the earliest records to June 2019 investigating the effect of pistachio consumption on inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension. Mean difference (MD) was pooled using a random-effects model. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. The meta-analysis of 13 RCTs with 563 participants indicated that pistachio consumption significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD: -2.12 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.65 to -0.59, p=0.007), whereas changes in flow-mediated dilation (MD: 0.94 %, 95% CI: -0.99 to 2.86, p=0.813), diastolic blood pressure (MD: 0.32 mmHg, 95% CI: -1.37 to 2.02, p=0.707), C-reactive protein (MD: 0.00 mg/l, 95% CI: -0.21 to 0.23, p=0.942), tumor necrosis factor alpha (MD: -0.09 pg/ml, 95% CI: -0.38 to 0.20, p=0.541), body weight (MD: 0.09 kg, 95% CI: -0.38 to 0.69, p=0.697), body mass index (MD: 0.07 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.16 to 0.31, p=0.553) and waist circumference (MD: 0.77 cm, 95% CI: -0.09 to 1.64, p=0.140) were not statistically significant. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested the efficacy of pistachio consumption to reduce SBP levels. However, further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results.

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Endothelial Function in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Meta-Analysis

Hormone and Metabolic Research ◽

10.1055/a-1018-9564 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (11) ◽

pp. 691-702 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ningning Gong ◽

Cuixia Gao ◽

Xuedi Chen ◽

Yuan Fang ◽

Limin Tian

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Endothelial Dysfunction ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽

Weighted Mean Difference ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Statistical Heterogeneity

AbstractThe purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) have impaired endothelial function, which is assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases and the key studies references were searched in our study, prior to July 2017 for all language articles about FMD or C-IMT in SCH and euthyroid subjects. Two authors screened documents and extracted data by pre-established standard independently. The pooled estimate for continuous data was calculated using random-effects models. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the meta-analysis. Publication bias was examined with funnel plot analysis and Egger’s test. In this meta-analysis, 10 studies with 760 subjects are related to FMD with SCH and 23 studies with 1521 subjects are related to C-IMT with SCH. The pooled estimate of the weighted mean difference (WMD) has revealed that SCH correlated with increased C-IMT [WMD 0.069 mm; 95% CI (0.042, 0.095); p<0.001] and decreased FMD [WMD −1.848%; 95% CI (−2.298, −1.399); p<0.001] with high heterogeneity. Compared with EU controls, SCH was also associated with an increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) levels, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This meta-analysis demonstrates that SCH is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which may relate with increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Hypertension and dyslipidemia may play a crucial part in the development of endothelial dysfunction.

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Indicated preventive interventions for anxiety in children and adolescents: a review and meta-analysis of school based programs

10.31234/osf.io/jadxq ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Siobhan Hugh-Jones ◽

Sophie Beckett ◽

Pavan Mallikarjun

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Groups ◽

Adolescent Anxiety ◽

School Based ◽

Intervention Intensity ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

And Control

Schools are promising sites for the delivery of prevention and early intervention programs to reduce child and adolescent anxiety. It is unclear whether universal or targeted approaches are most effective. This review and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of school-based indicated interventions and was registered with PROSPERO [CRD42018087628].MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials comparing indicated school programs for child and adolescent anxiety to active or inactive control groups. Twenty original studies, with 2076 participants, met the inclusion criteria and 18 were suitable for meta-analysis. Sub-group and sensitivity analyses explored intervention intensity, delivery agent and control type. A small beneficial effect was found for indicated programs compared to controls on self-reported anxiety symptoms at post-test (g = -0.28, CI = -0.50, -0.05, k= 18). The small effect was maintained at 6 (g = -0.35, CI= -0.58, -0.13, k = 9) and 12 months (g = -0.24, CI = -0.48, 0.00, k = 4). Based on two studies, >12 month effects were very small (g = -0.01, CI= -0.38, 0.36). No differences were found based on intervention intensity, delivery agent and control type. There was evidence of publication bias and a relatively high risk of contamination in studies. Findings support the value of school based indicated programs for child and adolescent anxiety. Effects at 12 months outperform many universal programs. High quality, randomised controlled and pragmatic trials are needed, with attention control groups and beyond 12 month diagnostic assessments are needed.

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EXPRESS: Stroke risk following traumatic brain injury: systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/17474930211004277 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174749302110042

Author(s):

Grace Mary Turner ◽

Christel McMullan ◽

Olalekan Lee Aiyegbusi ◽

Danai Bem ◽

Tom Marshall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Stroke Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Large Sample Size ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Cochrane Library

Aims To investigate the association between TBI and stroke risk. Summary of review We undertook a systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library from inception to 4th December 2020. We used random-effects meta-analysis to pool hazard ratios (HR) for studies which reported stroke risk post-TBI compared to controls. Searches identified 10,501 records; 58 full texts were assessed for eligibility and 18 met the inclusion criteria. The review included a large sample size of 2,606,379 participants from four countries. Six studies included a non-TBI control group, all found TBI patients had significantly increased risk of stroke compared to controls (pooled HR 1.86; 95% CI 1.46-2.37). Findings suggest stroke risk may be highest in the first four months post-TBI, but remains significant up to five years post-TBI. TBI appears to be associated with increased stroke risk regardless of severity or subtype of TBI. There was some evidence to suggest an association between reduced stroke risk post-TBI and Vitamin K antagonists and statins, but increased stroke risk with certain classes of antidepressants. Conclusion TBI is an independent risk factor for stroke, regardless of TBI severity or type. Post-TBI review and management of risk factors for stroke may be warranted.

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Impact of interstitial lung disease on mortality in ANCA-associated vasculitis: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽

10.1177/1479973121994562 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 147997312199456

Author(s):

Peining Zhou ◽

Jing Ma ◽

Guangfa Wang

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Interstitial Lung Disease ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Lung Disease ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽

Retrospective Cohort Studies

Several retrospectivee described the association of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, the relationship between the ILD and mortality in AAV patients have not been established so far. This study aims to estimate the relevance of AAV-associated-ILD (AAV-ILD) and mortality risk by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). PubMed, Embase.com and the Cochrane Library (Wiley) were searched for original observational studies. Summary estimates were derived with a random-effects model and reported as risk ratio (RR), tested for publication bias and heterogeneity. Ten retrospective cohort studies were included, comprising 526 AAV-ILD patients enrolled from 1974 to 2018. Meta-analysis yielded a pooled RR of 2.90 (95% confidence interval 1.77–4.74) for death among those with AAV-ILD compared to control group. UIP pattern was associated with an even poorer prognosis in comparison to non-UIP pattern (RR 4.36, 95% confidence interval 1.14–16.78). Sensitivity analysis suggested that the meta-RR result was not skewed by a single dominant study. ILD might be associated with a higher mortality risk in AAV patients.

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Association between serum visfatin levels and psoriasis and their correlation with disease severity: a meta-analysis

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/03000605211002381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 030006052110023

Author(s):

Qian Zou ◽

Jiawei Si ◽

Yatao Guo ◽

Jiayu Yu ◽

Huijuan Shi

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Severity Index ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Subgroup Analyses ◽

Mean Differences ◽

The Cochrane Library ◽

Psoriasis Severity

Objective To determine the association between serum visfatin levels and psoriasis and to evaluate the correlation between serum visfatin levels and the severity of psoriasis. Methods The electronic databases PubMed®, Embase® and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published from inception to 1 May 2020. Data were extracted and then standard mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for pooled estimates. Results A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included (448 patients diagnosed with psoriasis and 377 controls). This meta-analysis demonstrated that patients with psoriasis had significantly higher levels of visfatin than the controls (SMD = 0.90, 95% CI 0.52, 1.28). Subgroup analyses showed that differences in serum visfatin levels between the patient group and the control group were associated with ethnicity, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and body mass index. Additionally, a meta-analysis of correlations showed that visfatin levels in patients with psoriasis were positively correlated with PASI ( r = 0.51, 95% CI 0.14, 0.75). Conclusions This meta-analysis showed that serum visfatin levels in patients with psoriasis were significantly higher than those in the controls and a positive correlation between serum visfatin levels and psoriasis severity was observed.

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